Sorry this took so long to get written up, I've had a hectic few days travelling about.
Platinum Devil happened last Saturday at the University of Kent. I had nine definite confirmations apart from myself. I had considered opening up the event to all and sundry, in order to get a few more people in, but decided against it in the end, as it might hurt the Dakka camaraderie somewhat if there was a plethora of non-dakkaites attending. Thankfully, this proved to be the best decision by far, as the hall was full enough to not seem empty, but not so full as to be stifling. The atmosphere was terrific, and I can't thank those of you who attended enough.(I will steal some of the photos published elsewhere for this, thanks to people for taking!)
The attendance roster was as follows:-
Ketara(Ben)
RinkyDink(Mark)
Reds8n(Mike)
Baneblade_brad(Bradley)
ArbitorIan(Ian)
tp-1983(Tom)
Killkrazy(Richard)
Panic(Gary)
Leggy(Paul
Fifty(Russell)
Everyone showed up for ten, earlier than I had expected, allowing us to get started earlier than planned. It was slightly hectic at first, as I got tables moved, and terrain set up, but everyone helped out considerably to get things sorted. Killkrazy (I'll refer to people by their usernames, so people know who I'm talking about) had brought along a load of masterfully built Tau terrain, and someone else(I'm not too sure who) brought along a few city pieces to help bolster one of the ruins tables.
Ten people equaled five tables. I sorted out the first rounds, and the games began. I personally got matched up against Leggy and his amazing admech for round 1. The pointing system worked as followed. 3 points for a win, 2 for a draw, and 1 for a loss. Simple, easy, and relaxed. Unfortunately, I lost my first round but had a most excellent game, and regretted nothing. We both had the most atrocious rolls I've seen in a long time, with more 1's rolled than should ever have been statistically possible.
The results were as follows:-
(1)Reds8n: 3
(1)Baneblade_Brad: 3
(1)ArbitorIan: 3
(1)Panic: 3
(1)Leggy: 1
(6)Rinkydink: 1
(6)Fifty: 1
(6)tp_1983: 1
(6)Killkrazy: 1
(6)Ketara: 1
We had to cut for lunch at this point, due to the cafeteria having limited hours that day, and the place we'd planned on going unexpectedly being closed. I had a pleasant discussion with my fellow Dakkaites about the future of
40K, and several forum members and affairs. After that, we matched back to the hall to begin Round 2.
Round 2 began, which paired me off against Killkrazys Tyranid swarm in Beacon Drop, a game of my own creation. I had a great game, and in it, we had a last ditch stand by my Praetorians with Tyranid warriors on a dramatic hilltop. Through some careful planning I managed to win through, and Killkrazy and me had some great fun.
The results began to even out slightly, as follows:
1) Reds8n: 6
2) ArbitorIan: 5
2) Panic: 5
2) Leggy: 5
5) Ketara: 4
5) Baneblade Brad: 4
5) Fifty: 4
8) RinkyDink: 3
9) Killkrazy: 2
9) tp_1983: 2
Without much ado, Round 3 began. For the first time in the day, my dice rolling luck began to pick up, to the detriment of Baneblade_Brad and his Space Marines. I popped his dreadnought and Vindicator in my opening salvo, having won turn 1, dropped a soulstorm on a tactical squad wiping it out completely in one shot, and then proceeded to clear him off his objective. With a victory in my pocket, another excellent game played, and a throughably enjoyable experience thus far, I tallied the scores. Reds8n continued his rampage in the lead, with myself now occupying the eminent third place.
1) Reds8n: 9
2) Panic: 8
3) Ketara: 7
4) Fifty: 6
4) ArbitorIan: 6
4) Leggy: 6
7) RinkyDink: 5
7) Baneblade_Brad: 5
9) Killkrazy: 4
9) tp_1983: 4
My final game of the day was against Fifty, my direct competitor, and his marines in my custom made Portal mission. It was a thoroughly enjoyable game, with both of our troops popping out in unexected places!
After a hard fought game, which resulted in a draw, we shook hands, and I tallied the final scores of the day. In a climactic Battle of the Titans, Reds8n had been dethroned from his position by Panics Grot and Kan horde! I'd managed to hang on to my seat in third, with Leggy, Fifty and ArbitorIan hot on my heels.
1) Panic: 11
2) Reds8n: 10
3) Ketara: 9
4) Fifty: 8
4) ArbitorIan: 8
4) Leggy: 8
7) Rinkydink: 7
7) BaneBlade Brad: 7
9) Killkrazy: 6
9) tp_1983: 6
Unfortunately Fifty had to leave after only one day, leaving us down one member the following the day. However, he finished the day tied in fourth with a decent score. It was agreed we were going to meet up an hour and a half later in town. Since it would have taken me half an hour to walk home, and then another half hour to get into town, Killkrazy kindly gave me a lift down to town with him. We went to his hotel, he graciously indulged me with a drink(a trend to continue all weekend), and we discussed everything from politics to historical wargaming for the next hour and a half. We met up with everyone as planned, and followed Reds8n to a pub for dinner.
We had several drinks at a few different locations, whilst everyone got to know each other. The atmosphere was so laid back it was almost vertical, and everyone was very friendly. I got to know more about my fellow dakka-ites and their jobs, interests, and whatnot than would have ever been possible over the internet. Everyone plied me with drinks, which I of course, couldn't refuse(
) and it was throughly enjoyable. I went home rather drunk, and eagerly anticipating the next day.
I arrived at five past ten the next morning, ready to set up for a half ten start, to find virtually everyone had arrived before me, and had started setting things up! I can't emphasise how helpful everyone was when it came to chipping in and lending a hand, and it made the event run much smoother. Now due to Fiftys most regrettable absence, I had to sit the following two games out, however, I played my fifth game against Panic, the reigning champ later on, to see how it would have gone. As such, I'll include the score for that in the next set.
We had an incredible game, in which there was nothing held back on either side in the hunt to claim objectives. Praetorian Guard took to the field against the Grot and Kan horde, and after an hour and a half had passed, I held two objectives to one of his which was contested, giving me a victory. Despite time having been reached, we continued playing in order to see how things 'would have worked out'. Through the jammiest of luck, he managed to pull a draw out of the hat. I'm not saying that to denigrate his achievement, I've just never seen a roll like it in my life! I'd used weaken resolve on a grot squad, reducing them to
LD 2, and forced them to take a break test. He failed the first time, and used his grabba stick to kill
2D6 to get a reroll, in which he amazingly got a double 2! He then moved them forward onto a piece of terrain, and, needing a 5 or 6 in the shoot phase to run to the objective, managed a 5! Possibly my best game of the weekend, Panic was a pleasure to game with. That leaves the scores as follows(Bearing that Panic played someone else in round 5, we had our game later, and the score had no effect on him, it was more to decide my own)
1) Panic: 14
2) Reds8n: 13
3) Ketara: 12
4) ArbitorIan: 10
5) Leggy: 9
5) RinkyDink: 9
5) Baneblade_Brad: 9
8) Richard: 8
9) tp_1983: 7
Alas, I was unable to get my sixth game in at the end of the day, so my score simply follows through. Sixth Game was Assassination, A kill points mission in which
HQ units counted for 3 points, and Elites/Hvy Support 2. The games went ahead, and the overall, final results were as follows:-
1) Panic: 17
2) Reds8n: 16
3) Ketara: 12
4) Leggy: 11
4) ArbitorIan: 11
4) Killkrazy: 11
4) Baneblade_Brad: 11
8) Rinkydink: 10
9) tp_1983: 8
As such, Panic claimed the award of being Dakka's first Platinum Devil! Congratulations were in order, which he took with humble aplomb. Bad luck for for tp_1983, who'd suffered the most atrocious luck throughout the weekend, but was a thorough gentleman, and took his defeats well in his stride.
The atmosphere overall was amazing, with barely a rules query, and everything and everyone being extremely relaxed and casual. It turned out far better than I'd hoped it possibly could, and I left on Sunday having had an amazing experience. I cannot emphasise how much fun I had. I'd just like to thank all you guys who attended again, for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend.
Here's a group shot of us all:
From left to right, we have myself, tp_1983, Killkrazy, Leggy, Panic, Reds8n, RinkyDink, ArbitorIan, and Baneblade_Brad. Fifty was unfortunately holding the camera, meaning he missed the group shot as well as the second day, but for his sacrifice, we are all grateful! Thanks Fifty!
Batreps photos and events experiences can be found here:-
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/288816.page
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/289178.page
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/289012.page
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/288976.page
I'm attending my University until next June, so I hope to arrange another event in the future. Possibly Oct/Nov, with another final event this time next year? Who wants to seize the title from Panic? I look forward to seeing you all in August at Warhammer World though, and getting to know you all a spot better!
(The Platinum Devil thread can now be unstickied mods, as the event is over, and this is the wrap up)
-- $k 
-- 9k 
-- 6k 
-- 4k 
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